GOP rep: Pence's life 'wasn't really in peril' when Trump said 'So what?'
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) said former Vice President Mike Pence’s life “wasn’t really in peril” when former President Trump allegedly said “So what?” on Jan. 6, 2021, in response to an aide alerting the former president that his vice president had been taken to a secure location.
CNN’s Manu Raju asked Mast about the alleged comment — revealed in a newly unsealed filing from special counsel Jack Smith — on “Inside Politics” Thursday.
"What is your response to the president's apparent reaction to his then vice president's life being in danger?" Raju asked.
“I don’t think … that should be categorized as anything other than hyperbole right there,” Mast said. “He had—”
“I think it’s based on the evidence that the prosecutors filed,” Raju responded.
“He has Secret Service protection. Now, at that time, we thought that Secret Service protection was the gold standard of protection, and they would be keeping him safe,” Mast said. “He was under protection, OK. He’s being brought to a secure facility, OK. That’s something that’s being done. It doesn’t really require a great deal of thought," Mast said.
"And he wasn’t really in peril, that's the truth of the situations," Mast added.
"They were saying, 'Hang Mike Pence' at the Capitol; you don't think his life was in peril?" Raju asked.
"His life wasn't really in peril, he was protected by Secret Service," Mast said.
Mast's subtle dig at the Secret Service comes after a gunman was able to fire multiple shots at the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania this summer, with one bullet grazing Trump's ear.
Trump has blasted the release of the newly unsealed court filing in his election interference case in Washington, D.C., arguing that it amounts to election interference. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, previously called Smith’s filing “falsehood-ridden” and “unconstitutional.”
Mast's assessment of the risks facing Pence clashes with that of a former Situation Room officer, who said in an interview earlier this year that Pence came “close” to being killed on Jan. 6, during the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“It’s important to me that we don’t forget that it did come that close, and that we did have discussions, ‘If we lose the [vice president,] if the 25th [Amendment] is invoked,’” Mike Stiegler said in May during an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “We started running through all of these game plans because it was getting close.”
Stiegler also agreed with Stephanopoulos when he referred to the Jan. 6. riot as involving "our own people” and “inspired” by Trump.
“But at the time, that’s not even in the forefront of our mind,” Stiegler continued. “It doesn’t matter how we got here. We’re here. How do we execute? How do we move forward?”
The Hill has reached out to the Secret Service for comment.
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Topics
-
Top stories - ABC News
Former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney to appear with Harris at Wisconsin rally
Liz Cheney, the former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming, will appear with Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Wisconsin Thursday evening.6 hours ago -
Politics - The Hill
Trump, Pence relationship highlighted in new Jack Smith Jan. 6 filing
Special counsel Jack Smith’s court filing unsealed Wednesday reveals the mounting tension between former President Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, as Trump ...8 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - The New York Times
Could Trump Really Use the Justice Department to Lock Up His Enemies?
In a survey of 50 members of the D.C. legal establishment, many warn that Trump could follow through on his threats to prosecute his political adversaries.8 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - CBS News
When shipping containers lost at sea burst open, what happens?
Over 20,000 shipping containers have fallen overboard since 2010, their contents polluting shorelines and habitats.2 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Why do so many LGBTQ+ people still have to snatch moments of affection when we know others aren’t looking? | Sophie Wilkinson
When less than half of us feel safe holding our partner’s hand in public, true equality is still out of reach. You can’t move for representations of LGBTQ+ people now, apparently. There are many of ...13 hours ago -
Politics - The Hill
Van Jones: Melania Trump breaking with GOP on abortion 'bizarre'
CNN political commentator Van Jones in an interview Thursday called a video from former first lady Melania Trump in which she appears to take a stance in favor of abortion rights "bizarre." "This ...5 hours ago - Donald Trump -
World - The Guardian
Does Melania Trump really think her pro-choice messaging will fool us? | Moira Donegan
It could be that she is being sincere, but that does not mean her choice to make them now is not cynical. Just how stupid does Melania Trump think we are? On Wednesday, my colleagues at the ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
What the elites don’t understand about the Trump vote
People are confounded that Donald Trump might win back the White House; ironically, their confusion says more about their ignorance and narrow-mindedness than about Trump voters.11 hours ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Biden declares ‘collective bargaining works’ after deal struck
President Biden on Thursday hailed the agreement made between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) to end the port strike, arguing that ...34 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - The Hill
Liz Cheney makes case for Harris in Wisconsin
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) made a campaign appearance Thursday in Ripon, Wis., known as the birthplace of the Republican Party, with Vice President Harris, a pairing of a former House GOP ...38 minutes ago - Kamala Harris -
Politics - The Hill
Boris Johnson: Netanyahu may have bugged my bathroom
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson alleged in an interview with The Telegraph that his staff found a "listening device" in his personal bathroom after Israeli Prime Minister ...38 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Ex-Nevada gubernatorial candidate convicted in federal wire fraud case
Former Nevada gubernatorial candidate Michele Fiore (R) was convicted in a federal wire fraud case on Thursday. Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Councilwoman, was convicted by a jury on federal wire ...41 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Photos show NY Republican in blackface as part of Michael Jackson Halloween costume
Photos taken of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) while in college nearly 20 years ago show him wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume portraying pop star Michael Jackson, The New York Times ...41 minutes ago